Washington State Cougars On SI

Gonzaga Announces Move to Pac-12

The WCC staple announced it will join the Pac-12 in 2026.

Keenan Womack

Mar 29, 2024; Detroit, MN, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few leaves the court after being defeated by Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Mar 29, 2024; Detroit, MN, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few leaves the court after being defeated by Purdue Boilermakers during the NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
In this story:

After the dissolution of the Pac-12 which saw 10 teams leave for the ACC, Big 10, and Big 12, the future of the conference at large seemed to be in heavy jeopardy. That's when commissioner Teresa Gould began to pull some strings and invited several teams to the conference many of which obliged.

So far, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State, and Boise State joined the two existing schools in Washington State and Oregon State to form the current iteration of the conference. But today, the new Pac-12 got huge news in that the Gonzaga Bulldogs would be joining to compete in all sports.

Of course, the biggest bump would be in basketball, as Gonzaga has been one of the best teams in the country by winning percentage over the last 20 years – Head Coach Mark Few is so highly respected that he was even a member of the United States Olympic Basketball Team coaching staff this summer in Paris.

Few has won 83.4% of his games over the last 25 years, going 716-143 as his overall record and making two Final Fours. Gonzaga has perennially been a power in the West Coast Conference, and has produced several NBA first-round draft picks, including Julian Strawther (2023 29th overall pick, Denver), Chet Holmgren (2022 second overall pick, Oklahoma City), Jalen Suggs (2021 fifth overall pick, Orlando Magic), Corey Kispert (2021 15th overall pick, Washington Wizards), Rui Hachimura (2019 ninth overall pick, Washington Wizards), Brandon Clarke (21st overall pick, Oklahoma City Thunder to Memphis Grizzlies), Zach Collins (2017 10th overall pick, Sacramento Kings to Portland Trailblazers), and Domantas Sabonis (11th overall pick, Orlando Magic to Oklahoma City Thunder).

It's a huge move for a conference that was once thought to be dead in the water. Hopefully for them, this move can add more momentum and help them secure pledges from even more schools.

More Reading Material From On SI

2026 MBB Prospect Brayden Kyman Commits to Washington State

Will Rihards Vavers' Shooting Translate to the WCC?

Washington State Recruiting 2025: Shooting Guards Offers

Published |Modified
Keenan Womack
KEENAN WOMACK

Keenan Womack is a sportswriter native to Dallas, Texas, who has spent the last 12 years in Austin, the home of his alma mater, the University of Texas. Keenan has covered sports for SB Nation, Bleacher Report, Rivals/Orangebloods, a host of his own sites and now, Fan Nation. Focusing on basketball, Keenan was on the beat for the Longhorns hoops team for the last two-and-a-half years before moving on to pursue other opportunities. He is married and lives with his wife close to the Moody Center, so they can continue to catch games together.

Home/Men's Basketball